The Scottish Government has given the green light to proposals for major works at Ardrossan Harbour, from where ferries sail to the Isle of Arran.
The Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce, chaired by transport minister Humza Yousaf, has identified its preferred design option for the harbour upgrade, which aims to improve the facility’s operations and resilience ahead of the introduction of a new, larger ferry.
A CalMac car ferry at Ardrossan
Mr Yousaf said: ‘The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the Arran ferry service is fit for the future. These plans will help bring greater resilience and reliability to the link.
‘I look forward to continuing this collaboration with the members of the Taskforce as we work together to deliver this important project.’
North Ayrshire Council leader Joe Cullinane has welcomed the decision, which comes a year on from the decision to retain the historic Ardrossan to Brodick ferry route.
He said: ‘Alongside our partners on the working group, we have been working hard to ensure Ardrossan Harbour is of a standard which will allow it to support to lifeline ferry services and the new vessel on the Arran route for many years to come.
‘We fought a long, hard campaign to retain the Ardrossan-Brodick and the Campbeltown ferry routes so we are delighted that we can move on to the next stage.
‘We fully expect that once the improvement works have been carried out at harbour, it can be the catalyst for the wider regeneration of the Ardrossan area.’
The preferred design option would see the current berth at Ardrossan realigned, a new linkspan installed, a new terminal building constructed and a number of other enhancements.
The cost of the works has been reported to be around £15m although spokespeople for both Transport Scotland and North Ayrshire Council stressed that the cost will depend on the detailed design.
The next steps will include the detailed design of the facility to be considered by the Task Force.
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